La Vida Local
Irregular Notes on West End Life
Good Luck to Us
Part 2
By Rosanne Graef
Last month’s La Vida Local introduced the Maine Council on Aging’s lofty goal of creating an Age-Positive (Age+) Maine by 2032. In other words, eliminating ageism within the next ten years. Like eliminating other “-isms,” this is going to be tough sledding and, as suggested, the first step is to take the time to notice ageism.
Perhaps the next step is to actively look for and act on opportunities to have contact with people who differ from you with regard to age. Developed by Gordon Allport in the 1950s, this is known as “intergroup contact theory” in social psychology. The theory proposes that if members of different groups can interact under conditions of equal status and common goals, stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination decrease. Sounds easy, right? The method has had success with religious and racial groups, so why not try it across age groups?
Here’s where the stumbling blocks begin.
“The Generation Myth” by Bobby Duffy reported that:
“Over the past century, the United States has gone from being one of the most age-integrated societies in the world to one of the most age-segregated, so much so that in many parts of the country, age segregation is as stark as ethnic segregation. In one study, Americans over the age of sixty said that only a quarter of the people they had discussed ‘important matters’ with during a six-month period were thirty-five or younger; if they didn’t count relatives, the number dropped to just 6 percent.”
–The Generation Myth, by Bobby Duffy
How can you have contact with someone when your paths never cross? Sorting people into housing by age and ability and insulating institutions and organizations from the neighborhoods and residents surrounding them impoverishes everyone. It reduces everyone’s social capital and cuts us off from potential intergenerational friendships that can help ease people’s feelings of loneliness, of being misunderstood, of not fitting in… Whether they’re young, old, or in between. Collectively we have done this to ourselves, and we need to recognize and address the mess we’ve made.
What can we here in the West End do about age separation?
There are commonalities between the generations – fashionistas, hobbyists, card collectors, doodlers, sports fanatics, songsters, adventurers, naturalists, contemplators, inventors… Let’s start by saying hello. Then look for chances and create opportunities to get to know each other. When it comes to the problem of age separation, we all have a lot to learn.
Standard Time Safety
I seem to write this same message every year. Pedestrians: please find yourself something yellow, white, pink, orange, or reflective to wear or carry when you’re walking around in the dark, especially if the clock still says 4:30 p.m.! Many Portland streets are not all that well lit and it’s difficult for drivers to spot a pedestrian clad all in black.
Drivers: Please do your best to pay close attention and slow down when it’s dark, especially when it’s dark and rainy!
Rosanne Graef lives in the West End and is a regular volunteer contributor. Email her at lavidalocalwen@gmail.com.
